HARRISONBURG, Va., Nov. 26, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vehicle fleets across 12 U.S. states in the Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program saved an average of $1.62 per gallon last quarter filling up with propane autogas vs. gasoline. Total fuel cost savings in this quarter alone exceeded $100,000, with almost 250 tons of greenhouse gas emissions displaced.
To date, autogas fleets in the Program have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by more than 2,000 tons and displaced more than 1 million gallons of gasoline.
"We're nearing the end of the third year of the Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program, and we've seen tremendous results in terms of reducing harmful pollutants and emissions, as well as helping regional fleets lower their fuel costs by running on propane autogas," says Alleyn Harned, executive director of Virginia Clean Cities, which administers the Program. "Autogas is a domestically produced, cleaner-burning fuel that's very cost effective for fleets, so it has a significant role to play in diversifying our nation's transportation fuel."
Propane autogas is a very viable alternative fuel for fleets because autogas costs less per gallon than gasoline, and it is also affordable to implement autogas vehicle conversions and install fueling stations. Autogas vehicles emit fewer harmful emissions than gasoline vehicles, including 20 percent less carbon monoxide, 40 percent less nitrogen oxides and 10 to 18 percent less carbon dioxide.
Program fleets enjoy both significantly reduced fuel and maintenance costs, since propane autogas burns cleaner than gasoline. With 24 autogas fleet vehicles, Spotsylvania County in Virginia will save approximately $70,000 in fuel costs each year, while also displacing more than 60 tons of greenhouse gas emissions. Community Counseling Services in Mississippi converted 29 fleet vehicles to autogas and will save an estimated $60,000 in fuel costs annually, while displacing more than 40 tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
Alliance AutoGas provides the fuel supply, fueling infrastructure and vehicle conversion equipment for Program fleets. Though the Program is concentrated in the Southeast U.S., notable Program fleet Veolia Transportation is converting 300 taxis nationwide to propane autogas, recently launching Baltimore's first propane-powered taxi fleet.
About The Program
The Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program is comprised of public and private partnerships throughout 10 states in the Southeast U.S., Denver and Pittsburgh. Over its four-year span, the Program will put more than 1,200 clean autogas vehicles on the road and implement more than 30 autogas fueling stations (funded by the program and partner Alliance AutoGas). Supported by funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the U.S. Department of Energy's Clean Cities Program, it is managed and administered by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy and Virginia Clean Cities at James Madison University. To learn more, visit www.usepropaneautogas.com or email info@usepropaneautogas.com.
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